March 29, 2018: The Speed Dating Directors Selection Process!

Post navigation

About a month ago, I agreed to take part in a showrunner/director speed meeting event that will essentially involve me sitting down with eight pre-selected directors for 10 minutes each over the course of an evening. “Wait a minute,”you’re no doubt thinking. “You’re not a freakin’ showrunner!” Well, while technically true, I was a showrunner and do feel pretty good about my chances of showrunning again in the not too distant future. So I thought “Why not?” It would be nice to get to know some people currently not on my radar.

Anyway, I agreed and, last week, was sent a list of over a hundred directors and instructed to choose eight. Eight out of 120+!

So I sat down, researched credits and reviewed reels. I crossed off the list the dozen directors I already know simply because I’m already familiar with their work and if they really want to sit down with me, all they have to do is send me an email.

After the first lengthy review, I’d narrowed the list down to 25. Then, over the course of that afternoon, 16. Then 10. And, finally 6. Until I realized I actually needed to choose 8 candidates, so I went back, doubled that number to 12, and then wrestled with indecision for the next two days.

Until it eventually dawned on me that, rather than narrow down my choices to a mere six eight, I could simply reach out to some of the directors on my short list and actually meet up with them outside of the planned event – for LONGER THAN 10 MINUTES!

So I did. I reached out and ended up meeting three amazingly talented young female directors. Over the course of a leisurely lunch, we discussed the television industry, their respective backgrounds and longterm goals, and I imparted nuggets of wisdom like: “It’s the small moments that make an episode,” “Don’t be crazy!”, and, most importantly, “Try the grilled octopus. It’s delicious!”.

I would have reached out to more but I’m amazed by the number of industry professionals who aren’t on twitter. In some ways, I get it. I’m not a huge fan of the platform either, but I do recognize its value in providing quick and convenient online connections.

Anyway, to make a long story short (or, more to the point, bring this rambling blog entry to a close), I’ve chosen my eight directors and look forward to learning as much about them as possible – in ten minutes.

Also, the results of my recent online poll are in. And Akemi breathes a sigh of relief…

Finally – When we first adopted Suji, she could barely get around, dragging her back legs around wherever she went. Over a year later, she’s such an avid walker that she gets downright angry if we’re ever late for her morning stroll…

Lucky matches! It sounds like something industry people should do periodically. Everything gets incestuous over awhile and it’s hard for new connections to get established. Creativity requires new fuels and new exposures. I hope the event sparks great projects for all the attendees.

Suji is going to look fabulous in the strawberry antler cap. I can’t wait! Super job on her rehabilitation.

Suji looks fantastic. Love and loving care do so much for our furry friends!

What criteria did you use to narrow the field, other than already knowing the candidates? What type of things caught your fancy? I find the networking process both fascinating and unnerving, like a bug stuck on a pin.

Suji looks so much happier now that she can move around using all four of her cute little feet. I always thought a show runner sort of ran to the networks with show ideas. I guess I wasn’t seeing the big picture. Although, I bet you can run like the dickens. 🙂

Awwww. I just want squishy her. No doubt she wouldn’t like that at all. She seems to be the independent type of pup. It has been a privilege and you are both so amazing for adopting Suji and giving her the life she never had and the life she always could have with the right pet parents.

It didn’t work out as well for her dog because of the true paralysis, the commitment she had to this dog to help the dog be the best dog he could be inspires and warms my heart.

Pet parents nominees for the year I do believe. Pet Parent Day is April 27.

Cool idea of speed-date with directors. Glad too to hear you reached out to some of the others and did things on your own terms.

I hope some of this develops into a new gig for you. Whatever the gig. Writing, showrunning, getting another series, etc. Fingers and toes crossed for you until they cramp… then I can’t promise anything.